The Pursuit

Seventeen

SEVENTEEN 

Caleb joined me back on the couch after following the Jenkins family to the door as they left. It was close to being eleven at night, and he asked for me to stay longer. He poured the both of us wine in our glasses and leaned back in his leather couch.

"So, what did you think of them?" He asked with a twinkle in his eyes. 

"They're wonderful people," I gushed taking a sip of the wine. However, I put it back down as I remembered the last time I had wine with Caleb. It was better for me to stop now. Besides, I wanted to be sober when I planned on asking him about parts of his past. Er, if he would even answer them. "Parker is the complete opposite of you." I observed.

He nodded taking me into his arms. "Mmhm. Polar. But we balance each other just fine. Especially when we were growing up. He was always the reckless one, and I was the one with the common sense in our friendship."

"And I can see why you would want to steal Elle from him," I said looking straight at the unused fireplace. I wrung my fingers in my lap, afraid how he would react.

He was silent for a moment before letting out a somewhat nervous chuckle. "Come on, Bethany. That was years ago. I honestly didn't know what I was thinking." He looked at me, pleading with me to believe him. 

I ducked from under his arm and crawled back to the opposite end of the couch. I tucked my knees in front of my chest, wrapping my arms around them. I felt very vulnerable in this position. Sending me a chagrined look, he placed his glass on the table with a loud smack. I flinched at the harsh sound. 

"Are you sure that's all in the past?" I eyed him, and he returned it. "I've seen the way you interacted with her this evening. I don't want to sound like a jealous girlfriend but-"

"Yeah?" He interrupted chuckling to himself lacking the joyful tone. "Well you sort of do, Bethany." I felt hurt at his manner. "I've only known Elle for a short time before becoming her great friend. There's nothing to worry about. She's married with kids for crying out loud!"

I already knew Eleanor wasn't a problem; she was in a happy marriage, I could see that. I just used her as a leeway to ask my next question. "What about Liv Erling?" Biting my lower lip, I waited for him to answer. 

At the mention of the girl's name, Caleb's expression changed dramatically. A flicker of surprise, recognition, and anger flashed through his face at once. I tightened my arms on my knees. I didn't feel like hearing his answer anymore.

"Do you still love her?" I cautiously asked.

He directed his stormy gaze me way. "Love her? Do you even know her?"

"That's why I'm asking you!" I indignantly replied standing up from the couch. I walked over to the side table opening the drawer. I threw it onto the couch, so he could see. "I just want to know, Caleb. I've told you everything about me. Including all of my personal things." I willed for him to make eye contact with me, but he was too busy staring at the picture of him and the possible Liv. "I want you to open up to me."

"She's nothing important," he claimed taking a huge swig from his glass. "Not anymore, Bethany."

"Then if she isn't, why do you still have a picture of her around your place? Why don't you want to talk about her if she 'isn't' important?" I stood between the couch and table staring down at him. Even though I was the one towering over him, with my shadow falling on his body, I still felt small. 

A look of scorn made its way on his face. "Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden? Is there a problem we need to fix?"

I shook my head vigorously. "But I want to know, Caleb," I pleaded. "It's strange having pictures of your ex girlfriend when you have a current girlfriend. I try to not let the envy get to me, but you can't blame me for being curious."